The Fifteenth Forum on Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility and the Integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Criteria into Business and Investment Decisions (CSR & ESG Forum) was held on December 12 in Belgrade, with the support of USAID through the “Job fit: Economic empowerment of persons with disabilities” project, as well as the support of the governments of Switzerland and Germany through the “SDGs for All” Platform as part of the “Public Finance Reform-2030 Agenda” project implemented by GIZ.
The event brought together experts on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility who presented current solutions and trends in these areas, with the conference’s focus on inclusion, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria and sustainable development goals. During the event, awards were presented to the most inclusive employers in 2024, specifically to companies focused on creating a work environment where all employees have equal opportunities for advancement and feel included and accepted in all areas of work.
At the official opening of the conference, representatives from USAID Serbia, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of Serbia, and the Responsible Business Forum addressed the attendees.
Naida Zečevic-Bean, Director of the Office for Democratic and Economic Growth at USAID, praised the Forum’s responsible business member companies and the Employers’ Network for the Employment of People with Disabilities, as these companies, including some of the largest employers in Serbia, demonstrate a strong commitment to hiring people with disabilities and creating a more inclusive and fair working environment.
Peer Krumrey, Head of Labor and Social Affairs at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Serbia, emphasized that, from Germany’s perspective, the 2030 Agenda and sustainable development goals are seen as guidelines for inclusive and sustainable economic development, with ESG criteria serving as a framework for businesses to align their operations with these goals.
Richard Kohli, Head of Development Cooperation of the Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade, highlighted Switzerland’s support for the development of the business sector in Serbia and activities that promote inclusion, diversity, and equality in the workplace.
Neven Marinović, Director of the Responsible Business Forum, expressed satisfaction with the growing focus on sustainable business practices and ESG, particularly on topics such as the private sector’s approach to biodiversity, access to financing, and many others.
The main session of the event was dedicated to the inclusion of persons with disabilities and its positive impact on innovation and organizational culture. Notable participants included last year’s winners of the “Most Inclusive Employer” award, who shared concrete and practical solutions for improving policies, practices, and support programs for employees with disabilities in businesses.
At the end of the event, Tobias Ehritt on behalf of GIZ presented the “Sustainability Champions” awards for the fourth time, recognizing companies whose operations and projects directly contribute to the sustainable development goals defined in the 2030 Agenda.
